Longtime Westporter, active community volunteer and former Board of Education member Faith Hutchinson Taylor died peacefully at home on Sunday, surrounded by her family. She was 70 years old, and had lived with ALS since early 2025.
Faith moved to Westport from Rowayton in 1989, and wasted no time getting involved in the community. She joined the board of the Westport Library, and began forging relationships with a number of community members.
Earlier in her career Faith was director of development at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. She held the same position at Norwalk Hospital.
She began her career in Washington, working to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Later, as her children began to leave the nest, Faith went back to work, first as administrator at the Unitarian Church in Westport, then in a similar role at Earthplace.
Faith also served 4 years on the Board of Education, after holding various PTA leadership roles. She retired in 2020.
Faith Taylor
Faith grew up in Old Greenwich, the youngest of 5 children. She met her future husband, Teddy Sullivan, at nursery school in Riverside. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in May.
Faith was an intrepid traveler, and imbued her children with that same passion. There were family trips to Europe, and summer vacations on the coast of Maine. She loved walking trips in France, Italy and Japan.
But her passion was being near the water, whether Penobscot Bay in Maine, Squam Lake in New Hampshire or Compo Beach in Westport. Even as her illness took its toll Faith strolled with her walker at Compo, while her dog Olive cavorted at water’s edge.
Faith felt blessed to have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. They were her greatest joy, always eager to come to Westport to be with their beloved “Birdie.”
Faith is survived by her husband Ted Sullivan; sister Holly Taylor Young; children Theo Sullivan, Annie Sullivan (Devlin) and Jane Sullivan (Culhane), and 4 grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport on November 7 (2 p.m.) In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Compassionate Care ALS and/or Aspetuck Land Trust.
I remember Faith as a truly wonderful woman. She will be missed.
Such very sad news. Deep condolences to her family. May her memory be a blessing.
I was privileged to serve with Faith on the BOE. She was an extraordinary colleague, became a genuine friend and always displayed a special “humanity”, which was her trademark. My sincerest condolences to Ted and the rest of her family.
Faith had an unerring ability to gather and inspire others. She was the most genuine, direct person I knew, no pretense or fanfare. I’d see her at the gym or in the neighborhood and without fail, she’d ask, “How do we feel about” this issue, this political news or some real estate development. “We feel” because we were all in this together. She prized engagement and action. She drew us in and treasured the group, organizing hikes during Covid, holiday carols on the Nutmeg Lane green, downtown bridge protests and election watch parties. We’ll miss you Faith. Love and peace to Ted and his wonderful family.
I loved being on the library board with Faith. She was just wonderful. May her memory be a blessing. She will be missed by many.
Faith was indeed wonderful. We were lucky to know her, and sure will miss her. Our condolences to all her family and friends.
Faith was a powerful positive force in all of her endeavors. Another victim of ALS. my thoughts and prayers go to Ted, their children and grandchildren. Rest in Peace, Faith.
Ted and his family are in our thoughts at Aspetuck Land Trust. What a joy and inspiration that Faith was inspired by the simple joys and beauty of nature and shared and involved her family in that passion – one of many legacies that I am sure she left for her loved one’s and others. My sincerest condolences for your family’s loss.
Jan Braunle
I worked with Faith at TUUCW at the same time as her husband , Ted, was Chair of Finance. They both shared terrific senses of humor and a very diligent work ethic. I enjoyed my time working with them very much, both as volunteer and as staff. My deepest condolences to Ted, Theo, Jane and Annie.
I had the good fortune of briefly knowing Faith as a fellow member at the gym. Around the time she received her diagnosis, she shared this poem that has stayed with me. I’ve shared it with many people who found it equally moving. I didn’t know her well, but it seems to capture her spirit.
The Little Duck
by Donald Babcock
Now we’re ready to look at something pretty special.
It’s a duck riding the ocean a hundred feet beyond the surf.
No, it isn’t a gull. A gull always has a raucous touch about him.
This is some sort of duck, and he cuddles in the swells.
He isn’t cold, and he is thinking things over.
There is a big heaving in the Atlantic, and he is part of it.
He looks a bit like a mandarin, or the Lord Buddha meditating in the sea,
but he has duck eyes. And they are very wise.
He is part of the Atlantic.
He sits down in it as you would sit in a chair.
Or he lies down in it as you would lie down in a bed.
And he lets it wash over him.
The big swells come and lift him up gently and roll him down and up again as if he were really part of the sea.
He comes up laughing every time.
The duck has made himself part of the ocean.
If it rains, he lets it rain—as if he were a part of the rain.
He treats waves as though they were fellow passengers.
He is very proud of being a part of the ocean.
He has made it part of him.
Look out there at him.
There is nothing better than a duck riding the ocean.